Prunus avium 'Stella' (Semi-dwarf Cherry)

Stella (semi-dwarf) is the original self-fertile sweet cherry on a semi-dwarf rootstock, bred at Summerland Research Station in BC in 1968. Dark red heart-shaped fruit with rich Lambert-style flavor at a manageable 12 to 15 ft. Prunus avium is the cultivated sweet cherry, originating in Europe, western Asia, North Africa and grown for centuries for its fruit. It is not native to North America.

Bloom and harvest in the PNW. Bloom is mid to late-mid season, with fruit ripening late June to early July in Oregon and Washington orchards. Site in full sun with good air drainage to reduce disease pressure.

Pollination. Stella (semi-dwarf) is self-fertile: a single tree will set fruit. Compatible partners (self-fertile) increase yields.

PNW disease and care. Best single-tree sweet cherry for small PNW yards. Semi-dwarf rootstock improves precocity and reduces ladder work. The species-level disease pressures to plan for are brown rot (Monilinia laxa), bacterial canker, cherry leaf spot, and powdery mildew. Cherry fruit fly and spotted wing drosophila are the major insect pressures. Net trees against birds at color change.

Native fruiting alternatives: If you also want to support PNW birds and pollinators with regionally native fruit, consider Amelanchier alnifolia (Saskatoon serviceberry), Vaccinium ovatum (evergreen huckleberry), Malus fusca (Pacific crabapple), or Prunus virginiana (chokecherry). These provide bird food, pollinator support, and Indigenous food heritage in your landscape alongside your orchard fruit.